Village of Clinton

Coronavirus Covid-19 Policy

March 26, 2020

These modified operation policies shall remain in effect until further notice, and may be further updated or amended based on the latest guidance form the Governor’s Office, CDC, MDHHS and the Lenawee County Health Department.

Michigan Executive Order 2020-21

All in-person government activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life, or to support those businesses and operations that are necessary to sustain or protect life are suspended through April 13, 2020. Based on the language in this order, the Village of Clinton will continue to provide the follow essential services:

• Fire Department.
• Police Department.
• Utility Departments.
• Office Staff for Payroll, Accounts Payable/Receivable and Utility Billing.

What steps should I take to protect myself and others from spreading COVID-19?

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Wash hands, before touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• If you are aware that someone is sick, then avoid close contact with them.
• Avoid travelers from areas with an ongoing spread of COVID-19.
• If you have symptoms (fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath) or have been diagnosed with COVID19, then remain at home and consult a healthcare professional.
• Conduct meetings by telephone or conference call whenever practical.
• Maintain a 6-foot separation distance from others.

Prevention and Treatment Information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html

State of Michigan Information

https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus

What steps will the Village take in dealing with COVID-19? The Village will continue to follow the guidance of federal, state and county health departments regarding COVID-19. The Village has taken the following steps in response to Covid-19:

More Thorough Cleaning of Village Facilities. Staff are directed to regularly clean surfaces that are commonly touched by staff and/or the public. They are to disinfect door handles, countertops and other exposed surfaces with cleaning solutions. Clean personal spaces. Promptly dispose of tissues and other items that may have been in contact with the eyes, nose or mouth. Disinfect commonly touched surfaces in vehicles at the end of shift.

Practice Social Distancing. Staff are to practice social distancing by avoiding close contact with others outside their household. Conduct Village business and meetings by telephone or conference call whenever practical, and postpone or reschedule in-person meetings for non-essential business. Reschedule or cancel in-home appointments for non-critical issues. Suspend all building permit inspections for occupied residential structures. Refrain from direct contact with co-workers and customers by minimizing handshakes, etc. Maintain a separation distance 6-feet from co-workers and customers when possible. Minimize staff meetings and/or conduct them in a space that allows for distancing. Stagger lunch times and breaks to avoid gathering. Travel to job sites in separate vehicles whenever possible.

Conference Calls and Emails. Staff participated in conference calls or webinars with the Lenawee County Health Department, Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Municipal Electric Association and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. There are numerous emails every day with updates from federal, state and local agencies and various groups and organizations.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act Policy. Enacted a policy to comply with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which provides additional hours of PTO to employees for specific situations related to the coronavirus.

Fire Department. The Fire Department has one of the hardest situations with Covid-19 because they will be asked to assist residents on medical, rescue and fire situations. The Department has a new policy similar to other departments in the County which is designed to help reduce employee exposure and increase the availability of the fire apparatus.

1. Police. The Police Department has a difficult task with Covid-19 because they will be asked to help the public in their time of need. The Department will practice social distancing, good hygiene and limiting contact with others. They will regularly disinfect their vehicles and public portions of the office. The Police Department lobby is now closed to walk in traffic to help reduce the risk of exposure for officers. The officers are directed to not enter homes or businesses for routine matters, if possible. Shift starts have been staggered so that officers to not see each other between shifts.

1. The DPW’s two licensed water operators are on different shifts to limit contact with each other and the public. They will not enter homes or businesses for routine matters, like changing water meters.

Tate Park. Tate Park will stay closed to reduce social gathering and because the Village will not be able to adequately keep the play equipment, picnic shelters and restrooms disinfected. The soccer program and Clinton Little League have been pushed back three weeks. Those programs will be evaluated in the future to determine if they should play, if they should be pushed back further or if they should be canceled.

1. Electric. The three Electric Department employees will practice social distancing, good hygiene and limit contact with others. They will disinfect their vehicles and public portions of the office. The employees are on different shifts to reduce contact with one another. The Department has limited contact with others and will not enter homes or businesses for routine matters.  

1. The three WWTP employees will practice social distancing, good hygiene and limit contact with others. They will disinfect their vehicles and public portions of the office. Their work duties have some natural separation.

Restricted Access to Village Buildings. Access to the Village buildings will be limited to Village staff, Village contractors, Council/Commission Meetings and Urgent Business only. The main doors will be locked, and only staff, contractors and elected officials will be allowed into the buildings.

Village Office. The office staff will practice social distancing, good hygiene and limit contact with others. They will regularly disinfect the public portions of the office. Signs are posted advising residents how they can perform most tasks without entering the office. The doors are locked for routine business, but residents are allowed to enter in limited situations. Some staff are assigned to perform certain administrative tasks at home or during off hours.

Council Meetings. Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-15 which allows communities to hold electronic council meetings. The Village will not be able to meet all the requirements of the Order to hold an electronic only meeting. We will therefore hold our regularly scheduled April 6, 2020, Council meeting at the Village Office. Staff is trying to set up a conference call system to allow Council Members and the General Public to call into the meeting.

What is the Village suggesting to the public and businesses in dealing with COVID-19?

The Village of Clinton encourages businesses to be proactive in reducing the spread of infectious and contagious disease(s) by practicing federal, state and county health guidelines found at the CDC and Michigan Website(s). If residents are paying utility bills, then use the conveniently located drive-up box. The box will be checked for payments throughout the day.

Postponement or Cancellation of Events Larger than 10 Persons. In accordance with the federal government recommendations, the Village will be postponing or cancelling events which will bring 10 or more persons. Exceptions are permitted for up to 50 persons, if social distancing protocols are implemented (Exp. Outdoor Events and Large Meeting Rooms).

What is the Coronavirus or COVID-19? COVID-19 is used to designate a strain of viral respiratory illness. There are several other strains studied since 2013. The COVID-19 strain has no specific antiviral treatment at this time.

• It’s a respiratory illness that spreads person-to-person in close contact (6’ radius).
• It may infect others through sneezing and coughing.
• It’s also spread by touching unclean surfaces or objects that have the virus on it and then touching their own face, eyes or mouths.
• Common symptoms include flu-like responses such as fever, cough and shortness of breath that last up to three weeks.

What are the possible outcomes from a COVID-19 infection? If you are sick or suspect you have COVID19 there are suggested measures you may take to prevent the spreading the infection to others.

• Mild complications most commonly cause one to suffer flu-like symptoms for up to three weeks. If you suspect that you are sick, then stay home and isolate yourself to the extent practical from other members of the household except to visit healthcare providers.
  • If you have immediate questions, nurses are taking calls at doctor offices and county health centers to answer questions or address concerns. Your first resource should be your Primary Care Physician’s office. You can also call the Lenawee Co. Health Department at (517) 264-5243.  
  • If you’ve developed symptoms, then remember to cover your coughs or sneezes with a tissue and throw the used tissue in the trash, or cough/sneeze into your elbow to minimize contaminating nearby surfaces. Attempt to maintain a 6-foot distance from others.
  • If you have objects or surfaces that are commonly touched by others, then keep them wiped clean and disinfected.
  • If you are in close contact with others, then you should wash your hands as frequently as possible with soap and water and avoid direct contact (handshakes, hugs, etc.).
  • Drink lots of fluids to remain hydrated.
• Severe complications the elderly and/or those with underlying health conditions, recent surgery or already weakened immune response are at risk of severe complications. These complications may lead to pneumonia or organ-failure which in rare cases can result in death. If you are in one of these higher risk groups, you should:
  • When you go out in public, keep away from others who exhibit symptoms, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
  • Avoid crowds as much as possible.
  • Contact your Primary Care Physician or healthcare professional if you are experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, or shortness of breath).